Hockey
Women's Junior Asia Cup: Goalkeeper Nidhi stars, India win 2nd successive title
After the regulation time ended in a 1-1 stalemate, India prevailed in the shootout 3-2 in Muscat, Oman on Sunday to lift the trophy.
FILE PHOTO: The Indian junior women's hockey team won their second successive Asia Cup final in Oman.
India won their second successive Women's Junior Asia Cup as they defeated China 3-2 in the penalty shootout.
After the regulation time ended in a 1-1 stalemate, India prevailed in the shootout in Muscat, Oman on Sunday to lift the trophy.
Indian goalkeeper Nidhi delivered a stunning performance in the shootout by making three saves that helped India propel to the final.
China took a lead in the 30th minute when their captain Jinzhuang Tan scored. India's Kanika Siwach struck early in the second half (41st minute) to bring India back into the game in an intense battle for supremacy.
After both teams failed to find the winner in regulation time, Sakshi Rana put India ahead in the shootout by scoring from the first attempt, while Nidhi spoiled China's first chance.
China equalised the scoreline when Hao Guoting scored for them. After two misses from Mumtaz Khan and Kanika Siwach, China took a 2-1 lead. It was Ishika's top-corner strike that kept India level at 2-2.
Nidhi blocked two more attempts by Li Jingyi and Zuo Dandan and that set the stage for Sunelita Toppo, who sealed the win with a composed finish to seal a memorable victory for India.
Earlier in the match, China, who came into the final as the only unbeaten side, took an early control. They pressed hard against the Indian defence in the opening minutes.
Though India dominated briefly, their inability to convert penalty corners meant they had to wait for a goal.
China scored right before half-time when a penalty stroke was awarded to the Chinese side, and they converted clinically to give them a significant edge going into the break.
India started the second half aggressively in search of the goal. They finally scored in the 41st minute.
A penalty corner opportunity saw the ball rebound to an Indian attacker, who slotted it home to level the score at 1-1.
The goal helped India make a comeback in the game and took the game into the penalty shootout, where they prevailed.
